number within fteen (15) days if the ves-
sel is transferred, destroyed, abandoned,
lost, stolen or recovered, or if the certi-
cate of number is lost, destroyed or the
owner’s address changed. If the certicate
of number becomes invalid for any rea-
son, it must be surrendered in the manner
prescribed to the issuing authority within
15 days.
Accident Reporting
Federal law requires the boat operator to
le a boating accident report with the state
reporting authority when, as a result of an
occurrence that involves a boat or its equip-
ment:
• a person dies;
• a person disappears from the vessel un-
der circumstances that indicate death or
injury;
• a person is injured and requires medical
treatment beyond rst aid;
• damage to vessels and other property
totals $2,000 or more (the amount may
be lower in some states and territories;
verify with local boating authorities); or
• the boat is destroyed.
If the boat operator is deceased or un-
able to make the report, the boat owner is
required to le the report.
Note that your responsibility does not
end with your own craft. You are required
by law to respond to any distress signal,
visual or auditory. Render immediate assis-
tance, EXCEPT in instances in which you
and your passengers will be endangered or
those situations that exceed your capabili-
ties or the capabilities of your boat. Good
Samaritan protection is provided to boaters
who provide good faith assistance and pro-
tects them from civil liability for assistance
given.
Speeding and Noise
Some states and boating areas have im-
posed speed limits for operation of boats,
including but not limited to no-wake zones.
Noise regulations may also be imposed. It
is the responsibility of the boat operator to
be familiar with any and all laws and regu-
lations and to obey them. The U.S. Coast
Guard is an excellent source for this infor-
mation, including penalties for failure to
observe the requirements.
Page 1-22 2014 MasterCraft Owners Manual • Safety Knowledge
S A F E T Y K N O W L E D G E
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